[RE-wrenches] SolArk and Tigo compatibility
pgiroux at mindspring.com
pgiroux at mindspring.com
Fri Nov 18 08:11:38 PST 2022
Morning folks
We have been using RSD with Sol-Arks for a few years now. Tigo and AP
Smart. We use a breaker in the CL panel and wire it to a small disconnect
next to the AC disconnect and wire it back to the Tigo or AP smart power
supply / transmitter. Works well, no confusion though a bit more $$ for wire
and the small 30 amp disconnect.
Thx
Peter Giroux
ASAE
From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of
Lloyd Hoffstatter via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 10:47 AM
To: cwarfel at entech-engineering.com; RE-wrenches
<re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>; Bradley Bassett <bbassett2 at gmail.com>
Cc: Lloyd Hoffstatter <lloyd at sunstruckconsulting.com>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SolArk and Tigo compatibility
Chris,
For emergency shutoff switch i just used a lock pushbotton switch in a clear
front lockable box with an led to indicate status. We did use an external
power supply because we were using Tigo optimizers, CCA and TAP.
Best regards,
Lloyd
Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
_____
From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> > on behalf of
Christopher Warfel via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> >
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 10:14:52 AM
To: Bradley Bassett <bbassett2 at gmail.com <mailto:bbassett2 at gmail.com> >;
RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> >
Cc: Christopher Warfel <cwarfel at entech-engineering.com
<mailto:cwarfel at entech-engineering.com> >
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SolArk and Tigo compatibility
Thanks everyone, the person I started with a SolArk asked me to call them,
so I've left a message. I'll let everyone know what the determination is.
Bradley raises a good point about shutting down the back up loads panel. We
would like to have an outdoor accessible disconnect switch between the back
up loads panel and the inverter so that can happen more easily for first
responders. I have to go back and understand a few more things and will let
you know. Thanks again. Chris
On 11/16/2022 10:14 PM, Bradley Bassett wrote:
The issue as I see it is that the Tigo RSS Transmitter and the APsmart
transmitter are both rated to draw up to 800ma. The 12VDC output of the
Sol-Ark inverters is limited to 100ma. Since some have used this
successfully I suppose that means that either these transmitters don't
really use more than 100ma, or the 12VDC output of the Sol-Ark can actually
handle more than that, or some combination of both. If I owned a Sol-Ark I'd
test this to see what the answer is, but alas I do not. I design systems
using a 48VDC to 12VDC power supply (Online Components has a Mean-Well
device for a reasonable price, sorry no link from here) and a fairly rare
IMO shutdown button (we have that) that has both NO and NC contacts. This is
needed because to shut down the Sol-Ark inverter requires a NO contact that
closes on initiation which is quite rare in RSD initiators. And you do still
need to shut down the inverter as well as the RSD devices so that it does
not continue to feed voltage back into the PV circuits (I think). This also
shuts down the AC output of the Sol-Ark which tends to make the inspector
happy. Since it also shuts down the inverter, that limits the battery to its
own circuits, does this count as a battery disconnect also?? I'm seeing some
inspectors calling out for battery disconnects which is much more
problematic.
Brad Bassett
AEE Solar
On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 4:27 PM Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches
<re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> > wrote:
Wrenches, Christopher
I have done quite a few and per solark have always connected in the inverter
with no issues, Now with that connecting to the output side it would do much
the same work until it did not then shut off the modules.
Fun times
On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 6:33 AM Christopher Warfel via RE-wrenches
<re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> > wrote:
Hi, We are doing our first system with these two devices. The inverter is
SolArk 12P (mutimode) and the Tigo product for RS is the TS4F. Tigo has me
a little bit walking in circles.
I told them that SolArk says not to use the 12VDC RS output terminals for
connecting the transmitter. I gave them the attached drawing which they ask
for, which shows the transmitter connected to a 120VAC/12VDC breaker which
they supply. They told me to wire the 120VAC source to the main service
panel so the array would shut down on loss of power. I told them that is
exactly NOTwhat I wanted to happen as that would stop the battery charging
when there is a loss of utility power. I said I wanted the 120VAC source to
be the back up loads panel. After about a week of calls and emails, I got an
email back saying to use the SolArk 12VDC terminals for RS. I just emailed
them a screen shot of the SolArk manual that says not to do that.
At this point, I am asking anyone on the list to let me know how they wired
the transmitter successfully. Thank you for any guidance, Chris Warfel
--
Christopher Warfel
ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
401-466-8978
<http://entech-engineering.com/>
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Christopher Warfel
ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
401-466-8978
<http://entech-engineering.com/>
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